2024 Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie has claimed that antisemitism is a natural reaction to frontrunner former President Donald Trump’s “intolerance.”
CNN anchor Dana Bash said, “I want to ask about the spike in hate against Jews in the United States. You told The New York Times that you believe Trump has contributed to this.”
Christie responded:
“When you show intolerance towards everyone, which is what he does, you give permission as a leader for others to have their intolerance come out.”
“Intolerance towards anyone encourages intolerance towards everyone.”
“That’s exactly what’s going on here. That’s been going on for some time, not just with Donald Trump, but with university professors on some of our most elite campuses in this country, with university administrators and presidents who have been unwilling to stand up against antisemitism on their campuses, most particularly,” Chris Christie added.
“There should be no campus in this country where a Jewish student is afraid to leave their dorm; a Jewish student is afraid to go to their classes, a Jewish student is afraid to go to have a meal in the dining hall.”
“That is outrageous, and it’s wrong.”
Christie added:
“In the end, look, I think that there have been a lot of people who contributed to it.”
“I believe Donald Trump’s intolerant language and conduct gives others permission to act the same.”
“Antisemitism has been rising in the U.S. for nearly a decade, starting in the last two years of Barack Obama’s presidency, a period that coincided with the rise of Black Lives Matter, and the emergence of violent radical extremists, both left and right.”
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Yes, Donald Trump who is the only President EVER to have a Jewish daughter is the reason for historic antisemitism in the country. OK CHRIS CHRISTIE. What a joke. pic.twitter.com/VYTSJBrmB0
— Mike Crispi (@MikeCrispiNJ) November 26, 2023
However, despite Christie’s claims, Trump was one of the most pro-Israel presidents in American history.
During Trump’s presidency, he took several unprecedented actions to fight antisemitism, even signing an executive order to extend civil rights protections to Jewish students on college campuses.
The current wave of antisemitism is being driven by left-wing pro-Palestine activists, which follows the deadly Hamas terror attack against Israel on October 7.
The growing anti-Jewish sentiment, which comes in the wake of the escalating war in the Middle, has nothing to do with Trump, despite Christie’s apparent misinformed claims.
WATCH: Chris Christie Drowned Out by Boos at Florida Freedom Summit
